Spring Breeze in Sagano, Kyoto (2025) Original Watercolour by Masato Watanabe

This watercolor painting captures a quintessential spring moment in Sagano, a historic area in the west of Kyoto.
I was deeply moved by the contrast between the fleeting beauty of the cherry blossoms (Sakura) and the enduring presence of the traditional temple architecture, with its weathered mud walls and heavy clay tiled roofs. To bring this scene to life, I painted the blossoms with soft, delicate touches to convey their light and airy texture, while anchoring the lower half of the composition with deep, structured earth tones. I minimized unnecessary lines to preserve the serene, spiritual atmosphere that whispers through the historic temples of Kyoto in spring.

Materials used:

Watercolor on Paper

Details:

• Watercolour on Paper
• One of a kind artwork
• Size: 30 x 40 x 0.01cm (unframed) / 30 x 40cm (actual image size)
• Signed on the front
• Style: Impressionistic
• Subject: Landscapes, sea and sky